Snow covers the mountain where the Sage abides,
  Under the trees in the moonlight
  Beauty advances.

Li Chia heard the poem and came out of his cabin, curious to see who was reciting it.  In this way he fell into the trap set by Sun, who hastened to salute him, asking: 

“Old-Elder-Brother, what is your honorable name?  And what is your first name which one does not presume to repeat?”

Having answered in accordance with the convention, Li Chia had to question Sun in his turn.  They exchanged such words as are customary between educated men.  Finally the libertine said: 

“This snowstorm was sent by Heaven to effect our meeting.  It is a large piece of fortune for your little brother.  I was lonely and without diversion in my cabin.  Would it not be my venerable brother’s pleasure that we should go to a riverside pavilion and divert ourselves by drinking wine?”

Li Chia answered: 

“The water-chestnuts meet at the caprice of the current.  How should I not be glad of this offer?”

“Between the four seas all men are brothers.”

Then Sun ordered his servant to come with him, sheltering Li Chia under a large parasol.  The two men saluted each other again, landed on the bank and, after walking a little distance, found a wine pavilion.

Having entered, they chose seats by the window and sat down.  The attendant brought them hot wine, Sun raised his cup to give the signal, and soon the two were conversing freely and had become friends.  At length Sun leaned forward and said in a low voice: 

“Last night a song arose from your honorable ship.  Whose was that voice?”

Wishing to pose as a man of leisure making a journey, Li Chia at once told the truth: 

“It was Tu Shih-niang, the famous singing girl of Peking.”

“How comes a singing girl to belong to my brother?”

Li Chia then ingeniously told his story, and the other said: 

“To marry such a beauty is exceptional good fortune.  But will your honorable father be satisfied?”

Li sighed and answered: 

“There is no lack of anxiety in my humble house.  My father is of a very stern disposition, and as yet knows nothing.”

Sun, developing his hidden traps, continued: 

“If your honorable father is not placable, where will my Elder-Brother shelter the Beauty whom he has carried away?  Have you come to some arrangement with her on this point?”

With heavy brows, La answered: 

“My little wife and I have already discussed the matter.”

“Your Honorable Favor has doubtless some admirable plan?”

“Her ideas,” explained La, “is to remain for the time at a place in the country of Su and Hang, whilst I go forward to my family and ask my friends and relations to appease my father.”

The other gave a deep sigh and assumed a saddened air: